Hello,
 
First a quick note:
Due to a Win 10 boot failure AND an (inevitable) HDD crash, I am now facing weeks/months to come for installing everything new.
So far, I got Sonar (legacy) back to working state, including all the platinum content (had all installers stored externally).
That was done via Command Center without any hiccups.
Kudos to the BandLab Team for keeping this functioning properly working!
 
My biggest surprise was actually that not even iLok (software) made any problems, despite a new HDD and different PC name. But I'm sure, sooner or later some other plugin(s) will complain that they cannot be de/reactivated without access to the former hardware.
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Secondly:
To add insult to injury, my Novation SL49 MkII decided to ignore the "expression pedal" entirely (I think it's some fried chip) and - despite contacting the vendor (& local resale) it cannot be fixed anywhere soon, if at all.
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So, I jumped ship and got me a Nektar P4, which, sadly, seems not to be too Sonar friendly.
 
My question/request would be: if there are any hints for working the Nektar P4 device with Sonar, I'd very much appreciate a share. Web searches didn't turn up very much (besides some years OLD (Nektar?) posts, stating that they'll improve the issue).
 
Problems so far are: I can't get the "control surface" thingy to work.
Then, I can't figure out how to accomplish that the pads trigger on midi channel 10, while the keys play another instrument on another midi channel.
 
So much for now, thanks much in advance for any related help.
Cheers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nektar have decided they want have full control on which DAWs are supported by P4 (proprietary protocol) and they have not included Sonar into the list (nor any from other 2 DAWs you put into your signature).
 
With these DAWs, P4 can work as a simple MIDI controller only, using pre-made (Studio One) preset or DIY (Sonar).
 
You have decided to pay money to Nektar for the support of Cubase/Bitwig/etc... Well, that was your decision

The P4 is mostly designed for Mac users and runs out of the box with Cubase and Logic. I think Azslow's masterpiece should make it work with Sonar or you could set it up via Act. I have a Nektar Impact LX88 which has a Sonar plugin, but the integration is far from perfect and probably better setup via ACT or Azslow. I use another DAW controller though so it doesn't bother me. I mostly just have its transport controls setup for when I'm recording a keyboard part.

To get the maximum use out of your purchase with SONAR, you need to use AZSlow's (Alexey Zhelezov) AZ Controller. Go to his forum (http://www.azslow.com/index.php), click on the NEWS subforum (to download the latest version) or on the DOCUMENTATION subforum for I-can't-imagine-what.
 

 
Note that your install will be different, since you're not integrating an OSC controller, but this offers good info.
 
P.S. Don't waste ANY time trying to get the motorized fader to work other than manually.
 
P.P.S. SONAR doesn't support soft pickup (software value doesn't change until the controller value matches; touch a fader, the value jumps to the current fader position). The only real use I got out of the 9 faders on my P6 was to invert the value they sent and use them for the 9 drawbars on an organ.

I have the Nektar Impact LX-61+ and it works fine with SONAR Platinum (they have a download specifically for SONAR ), and it's half the price of the P4. Maybe you could sell the P4 and step "down" to the LX?
I have to say, though, that it's too confusing using the 8-fader mixing controls on the LX. I haven't spent much time learning how to do it, and maybe I would get the hang of it eventually, but for now I only use the transport and record controls, and that does improve my workflow.
 
Note to azslow3, if you're reading: Would your Control Surface Integration improve the control I already have with my LX-61+? Or would it even work with the Nektar Impact series?

Larry Jones
Note to azslow3, if you're reading: Would your Control Surface Integration improve the control I already have with my LX-61+? Or would it even work with the Nektar Impact series?

In case you wish it does something original plug-in can not do, I can say if that is possible. AZ Controller can do everything original plug-in does (for LX) and a bit more. But original plug-in is already there and LX preset for AZ Controller does not exist (yet).
 

TheMaartian
P.P.S. SONAR doesn't support soft pickup (software value doesn't change until the controller value matches; touch a fader, the value jumps to the current fader position). The only real use I got out of the 9 faders on my P6 was to invert the value they sent and use them for the 9 drawbars on an organ.

Sonar supports soft pickup in ACT plug-in. AZ Controller supports two other modes in addition,  "Instant" and "Endless imitation".
 
Note that unlike LX, P4 has encoders. That is more convenient way to control parameters, no need to "soft pickup", they are always in sync with the software. But the whole feedback (display, fader, leds) can not be organizes since that is undocumented proprietary part.
 

Hello,
 
Thanks a bunch for your hints!
I'll work my way through them and see how far I get.
 
Quick notes:

azslow3
With these DAWs, P4 can work as a simple MIDI controller only, using pre-made (Studio One) preset or DIY (Sonar).
You have decided to pay money to Nektar for the support of Cubase/Bitwig/etc... Well, that was your decision

Ok, I'll check out both. Sonar would be my preference though, since I am used to it and I am on a deadline for an upcoming live performance - not leaving much time for learning (and getting safe with on stage operations).
 
However, basically I just need to operate four or five VST instruments and any software allowing _some_ live tweaking will do. I don't need full control of everything.
 

35mm
The P4 is mostly designed for Mac users and runs out of the box with Cubase and Logic. I think Azslow's masterpiece should make it work with Sonar or you could set it up via Act. 

Well, that "Act" is also a bit of a riddle to me, never had the need to play with it further but I'll definitely check it out.
 

TheMaartian
To get the maximum use out of your purchase with SONAR, you need to use AZSlow's (Alexey Zhelezov) AZ Controller. Go to his forum (http://www.azslow.com/index.php), click on the NEWS subforum (to download the latest version) or on the DOCUMENTATION subforum for I-can't-imagine-what.
 
Note that your install will be different, since you're not integrating an OSC controller, but this offers good info.
 
P.S. Don't waste ANY time trying to get the motorized fader to work other than manually.
 

Thanks much to you all for the speedy info! It certainly gave me some hope and I'll dive right into it.
Cheers
 
 
 

TheMaartian 
SONAR doesn't support soft pickup (software value doesn't change until the controller value matches; touch a fader, the value jumps to the current fader position).

I didn't know the term "soft pickup," (thanks!) but the driver supplied by Nektar for SONAR with the Impact LX series does support that function.
 

azslow3
In case you wish it does something original plug-in can not do, I can say if that is possible. AZ Controller can do everything original plug-in does (for LX) and a bit more. But original plug-in is already there and LX preset for AZ Controller does not exist (yet). 

Thanks, Alexey! My needs are simple, and my brain is almost full. I'll stick with the factory driver for now 

I really like the Nektar for its features but I don't use it with Sonar much other than for basic VSTi playing. It should be easy to set up the pads to any channel, hit the "setup" button, go to "controller edit", hit a pad and all its parameters (including transmission channel) come up. 

Sanderxpander
I really like the Nektar for its features but I don't use it with Sonar much other than for basic VSTi playing. It should be easy to set up the pads to any channel, hit the "setup" button, go to "controller edit", hit a pad and all its parameters (including transmission channel) come up. 

My old D-50 finally became unusable a few months ago (thus the LX). The pads are much easier to use for drum parts. I am actually able to "play" live drums using the pads, which I could never do on keys. That said, I haven't begun to explore all the capabilities. I'm guessing the LX would not satisfy a real keyboard player. There must be limitations I don't even know about, but for me this thing has been great.
 
(And yes, the pads are fully assignable.)